I have a date with a mango! An Indian mango, that is, courtesy of my pals Cinnamon and Andrew. Next to mandarin oranges, mangoes are just about my favorite fruit on Earth.

This is the “before” pic. Considering how slippery my hands will be once I cut into the thing, I don’t think there will be “during” and “after” pics.

Most faiths and philosophies have a similar take on food: it should be savored, and shared. All the Buddhist teachings I’ve experienced emphasize that food should be prepared and enjoyed with a certain reverence and focus that is completely absent from how we operate here in the U.S. I know I typically wolf down my meals, especially when no one else is around.

So tonight, I have a date with a mango. I’m a total noob when it comes to cutting mangoes, so Andrew drew me a helpful diagram and explained the process in detail. (In fact, considering how little I know about cutting a mango, there’s no way I CAN’T be totally present during the process!) My plan: to follow his instructions carefully, and then slowly, deliberately, and with great enjoyment, eat this fantastic mango. And give thanks, for delicious fruit and awesome friends.